lack of cycles= vegetarianism

5197 Views 46 Replies 23 Participants Last post by Debrah, Feb 29, 2020

hopejoy

Discussion Starter · Nov 11, 2006

Hello, I posted a while back about problems related to my menstrual cycle, but I have a few more questions about how vegetarianism relates to menstrual cycles. I'm 16 and have only had two cycles this year. I became a vegetarian last November, and the loss of my cycle seems to have coincided with going vegetarian, although I had seemed to start to get irregular the summer before. It seemed like when I became a vegetarian, though they totally dissapeared and were gone for 6 months. I went to a doctor who put me on a high dosage of vitamin D which she thought would correct my lack of cycles, and I did get 2 periods which were very light. I have been getting periodic bloodwork, and my testosterone keeps going up. I have gained 15 lbs this year. I have not had a period since early August. Yesterday my mom realized that this has been going on too long, and she made me an appointment with a gynocologist. They had an opening for today, and I went in and they examined me and ran more blood work and I am getting an ultrasound next Monday. They are hoping to get to the bottom of this soon. They think it is either an ovarian cyst that will need surgical removal or a hormonal imbalance such as PCOS. I asked them if they thought that this could be related to my diet and they said that they are almost sure that it isn't. My chiropractor, however has been telling me how vegetarianism is so unhealthy and that my cycles will probably start if I eat red meat. She believes that people really need animal protein in their diets. I'm not sure if being a vegetarian can cause problems or not. I am an ovo vegetarian, but I actually have started to include fish oil in my diet from the insistance of this chiropractor. What do you all think of this? Do you think that sometimes animal food is necessary to maintain hormonal health?

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Fyvel

· #41 · Nov 28, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by hopejoy

I don't know what I'm doing. I'm not fully on the South Beach Diet, but am mostly eating that way. I don't know that much about nutrition, though, but do believe that nutrition plays a big role in health... My chiropractor recommended the diet, so I thought I'd try it. It is really hard, I've found, to know anything about nutrition, because it is so controvercial. Everyone seems to have their own idea as to what it is.

Your chiropractor is way out of line for recommending diets. I strongly encourage you to see a vegetarian friendly registered dietitian about your health problems. If you want to PM me with your location, I can help you find one in your area.

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rabid_child

· #42 · Dec 2, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by hopejoy

I don't know what I'm doing. I'm not fully on the South Beach Diet, but am mostly eating that way. I don't know that much about nutrition, though, but do believe that nutrition plays a big role in health... My chiropractor recommended the diet, so I thought I'd try it. It is really hard, I've found, to know anything about nutrition, because it is so controvercial. Everyone seems to have their own idea as to what it is.

Woah woah woah... a Chiropractor is NOT a doctor. You need to speak to your PHYSICIAN and a NUTRITIONIST. No one, at any age, is supposed to embark on a diet plan without consulting a physician, ESPECIALLY when you're still growing!!

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gas4

· #43 · Dec 5, 2006

Your chiropractor seems to always be sticking his/her nose into aspects of your health that he/she isn't qualified to comment on. I've just read this whole thread and it sounds like this person has had a major effect on what you think you need to do in terms of diet. I think you should see a nutritionist as well. And don't cut fruit and veges out of your diet, they're probably the most important part of a good diet.

Please see a nutritionist as soon as possible.

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hopefulLiz

· #44 · Aug 6, 2019 (Edited)

hopejoy said:
Hello, I posted a while back about problems related to my menstrual cycle, but I have a few more questions about how vegetarianism relates to menstrual cycles. I'm 16 and have only had two cycles this year. I became a vegetarian last November, and the loss of my cycle seems to have coincided with going vegetarian, although I had seemed to start to get irregular the summer before. It seemed like when I became a vegetarian, though they totally dissapeared and were gone for 6 months. I went to a doctor who put me on a high dosage of vitamin D which she thought would correct my lack of cycles, and I did get 2 periods which were very light. I have been getting periodic bloodwork, and my testosterone keeps going up. I have gained 15 lbs this year. I have not had a period since early August. Yesterday my mom realized that this has been going on too long, and she made me an appointment with a gynocologist. They had an opening for today, and I went in and they examined me and ran more blood work and I am getting an ultrasound next Monday. They are hoping to get to the bottom of this soon. They think it is either an ovarian cyst that will need surgical removal or a hormonal imbalance such as PCOS. I asked them if they thought that this could be related to my diet and they said that they are almost sure that it isn't. My chiropractor, however has been telling me how vegetarianism is so unhealthy and that my cycles will probably start if I eat red meat. She believes that people really need animal protein in their diets. I'm not sure if being a vegetarian can cause problems or not. I am an ovo vegetarian, but I actually have started to include fish oil in my diet from the insistance of this chiropractor. What do you all think of this? Do you think that sometimes animal food is necessary to maintain hormonal health?

I am.the OP years and yrs later visiting this board just bc I used to frequent it and looking to.see what it's like
. I remember posting about the beginning of this health saga and wanted to update. This was the very beginning of a journey..I ended up getting diagnosed yrs later with non classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia and also finding out I had hypothalamic amenorrhea. I hardly had periods for 8 yrs. Gained 20 lbs and went unprocessed w food and did some supplements and got acupuncture. My cycle came back at age 23 (was 15 when I posted this originally). It regulated over a yr. I had my first child at age 27 and I have been still nursing my now almost 17 month old! but my period is back and regular now as of 12 months postpartum
.if anyone has this issue it was not the vegetarianism but perhaps the increased carbs and soy that exacerbated this issue and also being a teen my hormones were still regulating and sensitive
Just thought I'd update if anyone is having this issue since this board was my first stop!

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hopefulLiz

· #45 · Aug 6, 2019

Ps posting with a new name bc I cant even get into my email.from that many yrs ago to revive my old password that is long forgotten😊 ps surprised this board is still alive and well..as a teen I loved it and was thinking of it

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David3

· #46 · Aug 6, 2019

hopefulLiz said:
Ps posting with a new name bc I cant even get into my email.from that many yrs ago to revive my old password that is long forgotten? ps surprised this board is still alive and well..as a teen I loved it and was thinking of it

Hi Liz, welcome back to the forum!

.

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Debrah

· #47 · Feb 29, 2020

hopejoy said:
Well, I'm a teen and I still live with my parents, so I can't switch chiropractors and if a doctor tells me to do something I have to listen. Recently (and I'm sorry to say this on a vegetarian board), I've been wondering if vegetarianism really is beneficial or even acceptable for everyone's diet. .................................Anyway, I'm sorry for ranting at you all, but I'm just so frustrated as there is not clear cut solution to this, and I don't want to have to go back to eating meat unless I really have to.

As long as you take a B12 and a Vitamin D, you're good to go on nutrition with all the foods you're eating. Every vitamin that makes a cow grow big and strong, is available in a plant diet. Your chiropractor is clueless. If your periods are messed up, it isn't because of being a vegetarian (unless of course, you're just eating crappy food like French fries, white rice and lettuce or some messed up version of that). Maybe someone here can give you a link to some veggie group that provides a starter kit to beginners. Then you can compare what you eat to what the advice is and even go over it with your doctor if you're concerned. That might allay your concerns on the dietary question.

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